Three of the four leading Formula 1 teams are introducing upgrades to their cars for the second weekend in a row in Jeddah.
Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull all have new parts for their cars this weekend. Among them, Red Bull alone have brought upgrades to each of the last three grands prix held on consecutive weekends.
Mercedes, however, have introduced no new parts for their W16 since the season began one month ago in Australia.
Red Bull’s efforts to improve their problematic RB21 continue with two changes aimed at tailoring the car’s performance to the high-speed Jeddah circuit, where efficiency is seen as more important than peak downforce. They have a slimmer rear beam wing for their car and larger engine cover vents to reduce the risk of overheating at what is expected to be one of the hottest races so far this year.
Ferrari have also focused their efforts on optimising their rear wing for the Jeddah circuit. The team has a shorter-chord top rear wing flap to give an extra set-up option and have brought the top wing and lower beam wings used at low-downforce tracks last year, giving an even lower-drag option compared to the new design.
McLaren, however, have focused on more general car improvements. The championship leaders have a new version of the MCL39’s diffuser to increase downforce and revisions to their rear brake duct winglets to aid efficiency.
Sauber has brought the most extensive package of new parts this weekend which go beyond the upper surface aerodynamics and include revisions to the floor which the team hopes will deliver more downforce. The front and rear wing changes on the C45 are aimed at reducing drag.
Aston Martin and Haas also have a lower-drag rear wing flaps, while the latter has an accompanying tweak to the front wing to ensure the car remains balanced. Williams and Alpine, like Mercedes, have made no changes.
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